ISLAMABAD: Pakistan processed more than 22.65 million international passenger movements in 2025 as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) moves to expand automation and digital verification at immigration counters.
According to official data cited by The News, a total of 22,650,199 international passenger movements were recorded during the year, including 11,097,240 arrivals and 11,552,959 departures.
The figures highlight the scale of international travel passing through Pakistan’s airports and other entry and exit points.
On the day covered by the report, 51,517 passenger movements were recorded across 295 arriving and departing flights. Six airports accounted for 49,181 passengers and 285 flights, while the remaining 2,336 passenger movements and 10 flights were processed at other international entry points.
FIA introduces automated immigration systems
Against the backdrop of rising passenger traffic, the FIA is implementing a broader digital transformation programme aimed at making immigration procedures faster and more efficient while maintaining strict checks against illegal travel and document fraud.
FIA Additional Director General Immigration Nouman Siddiqui told The News that the agency, under Director General Dr Usman Anwar, was working on a comprehensive plan to facilitate genuine travellers and strengthen controls against illegal migration and fraudulent documentation.
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A key element of the programme is the introduction of automated e-gates, initially on a pilot basis. Eligible travellers, including work-permit holders and passengers whose credentials can be digitally verified, will be able to complete immigration formalities through automated systems.
According to Siddiqui, the technology is expected to reduce immigration clearance times for eligible passengers by 70% to 80%.
Focus on document fraud and passenger complaints
The FIA is also strengthening its digital capabilities to identify fake passports, fraudulent visas and other forged or suspicious travel documents.
The agency will continue action against human smuggling and illegal migration while using digital verification to allow genuine passengers to pass through immigration more quickly and identify questionable documents at an early stage.
Siddiqui said the modernisation programme also includes clearer procedures, improved mechanisms for handling passenger complaints and efforts to identify operational bottlenecks.
The FIA is further seeking stronger coordination among relevant agencies as it works to modernise immigration services across Pakistan’s international entry and exit points.
